Engineering a brighter future: Grads to watch at Fall Convocation 2024

On November 21, McMaster’s Faculty of Engineering is celebrating nearly 300 graduands from 14 undergraduate and graduate programs at Fall Convocation.

Among this cohort are seven standout individuals, recognized by their professors and peers as “grads to watch.”

The group includes the winner of the prestigious Governor General’s Academic Medal, the co-founder of OrganoBiotech Inc., an elite athlete, a postdoctoral fellow working on AI-driven organ segmentation tools, a top teaching assistant, an Advanced Microscopy Specialist and a current med school student whose osteoarthritis research is being used at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton.

Learn more about Shadman Khan, Shravanthi Rajasekar, Ali Ammar, Yuandi Wu, Kendra Hawke, Jonas Wagner and Fatima Gafoor, below.

Currently: Postdoctoral Scholar at the California Institute of Technology supported by a Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship from NSERC.

Proudest Mac Eng moment: The times where I had the privilege of contributing to the growth of those around me. As a Project Lead for a major industry collaboration between McMaster University and Toyota Tsusho Canada Incorporated, I was responsible for overseeing the activity of a large team of researchers. Across my four-year doctorate, I directly supervised over 20 undergraduate and early-year graduate researchers.

How do you hope to contribute to engineering a brighter future? I believe engineering a brighter future is rooted in making strides towards social equity. I have always sought to solve problems that disproportionately affect disadvantaged populations – such as food safety and accessibility. The needs of such groups have not been adequately prioritized in engineering research in the past. Expanding our focus towards developing technologies that meet the pressing needs of these individuals is instrumental towards creating a brighter collective future for our communities.

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Currently: I’m taking some time to travel through Asia, immersing myself in new cultures and gaining fresh perspectives. I will be attending conferences to promote OrganoBiotech and connect with industry peers later this year. As for what’s next, I’m not entirely sure what the future holds, but that’s what makes it exciting—embracing the unknown and figuring out the path ahead.

Proudest Mac Eng moment: Turning my research on developing high-throughput platforms for culturing 3D human tissues in the lab for drug testing and disease modeling into something meaningful beyond the lab. With McMaster’s support, I had the opportunity to patent my PhD work and co-found OrganoBiotech Inc., where we turned those ideas into real products. Being part of that journey from research to a startup has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

How do you hope to contribute to engineering a brighter future?

I hope to bridge the gap between research and real-world applications, particularly in healthcare. To me, this means developing technology that will ultimately drive the development of affordable treatments to enhance quality of life and make a meaningful impact on communities around the world.

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Currently: I am a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the Mayo Clinic, where I work on AI-driven organ segmentation tools for radiotherapy and proton therapy. In the future, I aim to establish a research lab focused on developing engineering and AI tools for healthcare, advancing our understanding and treatment of medical conditions.

Proudest Mac Eng moment: I’m most proud of working effectively within an interdisciplinary team, collaborating with clinicians, clinical staff, and patients. At McMaster Engineering, I applied my technical expertise to develop a clinical tool and learned to approach problems from a clinical perspective, addressing needs beyond a purely technical solution.

How do you hope to contribute to engineering a brighter future?

I hope to contribute to a brighter future in engineering by driving innovation that addresses real-world challenges and inspires positive change. For me, this means using engineering not only to advance technology but also to create solutions that genuinely improve lives, enhance patient care and elevate quality of life.

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Currently: I’ve just started my PhD program working on space robotics research with my lab and supervisor. In addition to my research I’ve taken a more active role in teacher, with my advisor graciously allowing me the opportunity to do some guest lectures. I’ve always had an interest in teaching, from my time as an undergraduate student, and this only reinforces my interest in pursuing a career in this direction.

Proudest Mac Eng moment: Being awarded the best teaching assistant in Mechanical Engineering, an honour that involved nominations by both the students and the professor with whom I work. This recognition means a lot to me. As a TA, I focused on explaining concepts, teaching and helping students in a way I would have appreciated as an undergraduate. It was incredibly rewarding to see that my efforts were making a positive impact on the school community.

How do you hope to contribute to engineering a brighter future?

I hope to advance techniques and technologies that have a meaningful, long-term impact. Currently, my work on a space robotics project with MDA Space focuses on developing methodologies and engineering practices to enhance the capabilities of space exploration systems. I hope to develop new techniques that can improve existing systems, making them more efficient and reliable, especially in challenging environments.

I believe in fostering genuine excitement and curiosity for a subject, rather than focusing solely on grades or cramming for exams. I’d like to contribute to creating an academic environment that encourages students to connect with the material in a meaningful way, something I hope to continue in my role within the McMaster community.

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Currently: I am working as a Research Engineer at the Centre for Automotive Materials and Corrosion, under the supervision of Dr. Joe McDermid. In the next year or two, I hope to transition into an industry role, ideally in research and development (R&D) for metallics or other advanced materials. My long-term aspiration is to work in the R&D of materials such as aluminum and carbon fiber for high-performance cycling frames. Companies like Trek, Specialized, Giant, Cervelo, Santa Cruz or Cannondale represent the kind of innovation-driven environments to which I would be excited to contribute.

Proudest Mac Eng moment: I take great pride in the personal and professional growth I have achieved. While it is understood that formal education typically constitutes only a fraction of the skills applied in professional practice, my experiences have profoundly shaped my ability to navigate challenges and succeed beyond the classroom.

A key aspect of my journey has been balancing the rigorous demands of my studies with my commitments as an elite-level cyclist, varsity cross-country runner, and skier. Managing these parallel pursuits required discipline, time management, and a relentless focus on both my academic and athletic goals.

How do you hope to contribute to engineering a brighter future?

One of my aspirations is to normalize the presence of women in engineering, breaking down lingering stereotypes and reducing the stigma often associated with being a woman in this field. Beyond addressing gender equity, a brighter future in engineering also entails harnessing the discipline’s potential to solve critical global challenges, from climate change to advancing sustainable technologies. I aim to contribute to this future by excelling in my work, promoting inclusivity, and actively supporting communities like Women in Engineering. By mentoring, advocating, and collaborating, I hope to inspire and empower the next generation of engineers to create a field that is not only diverse but also profoundly impactful in building a better world.

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Currently: Building upon my experience in materials analysis gained at McMaster, I recently joined TechInsights Inc. as Advanced Microscopy Specialist. I analyze the latest computer chips and provide decision makers in the semiconductor industry with knowledge that will inform the design of future devices affecting our everyday lives, from the next AI server to the latest smartphone.

Proudest Mac Eng moment: The last five years have been a journey of resilience and perseverance for me. I am proud to see how, despite a global pandemic, my project has grown from an initial idea to a well-rounded study that challenged our understanding of the role that tin plays at steel interfaces, from the macro to the atomic scale.

How do you hope to contribute to engineering a brighter future?

To me, engineering a brighter future means to drive the development of cutting-edge technology that will shape the lives of tomorrow. It means for me to not be “swept away” by the rush of doing what now is technologically possible, but to look up, pause, and think of what kind of future it will create for all of us. Through mentorship I would also like to contribute to the formation of future generations of engineers.

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Currently: I started my medical studies at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto in August 2024. I hope my background in biomedical engineering will enable me to continue finding innovative solutions in medicine to provide more holistic care for patients and contribute to the transformation of healthcare

Proudest Mac Eng moment: I’m thankful for the personal growth I’ve experienced during my time at McMaster. It has also been deeply rewarding to see your research being applied in real-world healthcare settings, particularly at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton and with the Orthopedic Research team.

How do you hope to contribute to engineering a brighter future?

I hope to contribute to a brighter future by using my background in biomedical engineering to drive innovative solutions in healthcare. To me, this means combining engineering principles with compassionate care to improve patient outcomes and address healthcare challenges.